Word Origin & History

ream 1356, from O.Fr. reyme, from Sp. resma, from Arabic rizmah "bundle" (of paper), from rasama "collect into a bundle." The Moors brought manufacture of cotton paper to Spain. Early variant rym (1470s) suggests a Du. influence (cf. Du. riem), probably during the time of Spanish Hapsburg control of Holland. Properly, 20 quires or 480 sheets, usually 500 or more to allow for waste. Of paper for printing, 21 and a half quires, or 516 sheets (printers' ream).

Example Sentences for ream

"If you're so hungry, help yourself to a ream of fish-wafer," snapped Sayre.

One letter from you would do her more good than a ream of mine.

Mary returned to the pony, and Richard to his ream, which he was cutting into sermon-paper.

Perhaps so; but if I have tired you, it is more than you could do by me, were you to fill a ream of paper.

They give a better picture of the condition of society, than a ream of notes.

The sum he eventually paid for the paper was 25 roubles (£1) a ream!

I suppose that in England or in France the ream consists of 500 sheets?

Gave Father a ream of paper, and he gave me Emerson's picture; so both were happy.

So I'm going to write you a ream, Matilda Anne, whether you like it or not.

Fly-leaves should be made of white book paper, 80 pounds to the ream, guarded with jaconet on both sides.